Azamgarh University: A Hub of Higher Education in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Azamgarh University, officially known as Maharaja Suhel Dev State University, is a state university located in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established in 2022 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to provide quality higher education and research opportunities to the students of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The university is named after Maharaja Suhel Dev, a legendary ruler of Shravasti who defeated and killed the Ghaznavid general Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud in the 11th century.

The university has a sprawling campus of 82 acres, with a majestic administrative building, a central library, a computer center, a guest house, a sports complex, and a helipad. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various disciplines, such as arts, commerce, science, education, law, agriculture, engineering, and technology. The university has 40 affiliated colleges, spread across six districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, namely Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Mau, Ghazipur, Ballia, and Deoria. The university aims to promote academic excellence, innovation, social justice, and cultural diversity among its students and faculty.

History

The idea of establishing a state university in Azamgarh was first proposed by the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, in 2016. He announced that the university would be named after Maharaja Suhel Dev, who is considered as a hero and a symbol of communal harmony by the people of the region. The proposal was approved by the state cabinet in 2017, and the Maharaja Suhel Dev State University Act, 2017 was passed by the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2018. The act came into force on 17 January 2019, and the university was formally inaugurated by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, on 24 February 2019.

The first Vice-Chancellor of the university was Prof. Pradeep Kumar Sharma, a renowned scholar of Hindi literature and former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi. He was appointed by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2019, and assumed office on 20 February 2019. He was instrumental in laying the foundation of the university and initiating various academic and administrative activities. He also played a key role in getting the university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Courses

The university offers a variety of courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, in both regular and self-financed modes. The courses are designed to cater to the diverse needs and interests of the students, and to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their future careers. The courses are offered through the following faculties and departments:

• Faculty of Arts: The faculty comprises the departments of Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Sociology, Political Science, History, Economics, Geography, Psychology, and Education. The faculty offers BA, MA, B.Ed, M.Ed, and Ph.D programs in various subjects.
• Faculty of Commerce: The faculty comprises the department of Commerce, which offers B.Com, M.Com, and Ph.D programs in Commerce and Business Administration.
• Faculty of Science: The faculty comprises the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, and Computer Science. The faculty offers B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D programs in various subjects.
• Faculty of Law: The faculty comprises the department of Law, which offers LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D programs in Law and Human Rights.
• Faculty of Agriculture: The faculty comprises the department of Agriculture, which offers B.Sc (Agriculture), M.Sc (Agriculture), and Ph.D programs in various branches of Agriculture and Allied Sciences.
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology: The faculty comprises the department of Engineering and Technology, which offers B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D programs in various branches of Engineering and Technology.

Faculties

The university has a highly qualified and experienced faculty, who are engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities. The faculty members have published several books, research papers, and articles in reputed national and international journals and magazines. The faculty members have also received various awards and honors for their academic and professional achievements. Some of the notable faculty members of the university are:

• Prof. Pradeep Kumar Sharma, Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Hindi: He is a distinguished scholar of Hindi literature and culture, and has authored more than 50 books and 200 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Bharat Bhushan Agrawal Award, the Mahatma Gandhi Samman, and the Padma Shri.
• Prof. Ramesh Chandra Mishra, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Professor of Sanskrit: He is a renowned scholar of Sanskrit literature and philosophy, and has authored more than 30 books and 150 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Award, the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Academy Award, the Vidyavachaspati Award, and the Shri Ram Sharma Award.
• Prof. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Dean of Faculty of Commerce and Professor of Commerce: He is an expert in the field of Commerce and Business Administration, and has authored more than 20 books and 100 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the Best Teacher Award, the Best Researcher Award, the Best Paper Award, and the Best Commerce Educator Award.
• Prof. Anil Kumar Singh, Dean of Faculty of Science and Professor of Physics: He is a leading researcher in the field of Physics and Nanotechnology, and has authored more than 10 books and 200 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the Young Scientist Award, the DST-INSPIRE Faculty Award, the INSA Young Scientist Medal, and the NASI Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award.
• Prof. Ashok Kumar Singh, Dean of Faculty of Law and Professor of Law: He is a prominent lawyer and jurist, and has authored more than 15 books and 100 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the Best Lawyer Award, the Best Legal Researcher Award, the Best Legal Educator Award, and the Best Human Rights Activist Award.
• Prof. Ram Prakash Singh, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Professor of Agriculture: He is a eminent scientist and agronomist, and has authored more than 10 books and 150 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the ICAR Award, the NAAS Award, the ISCA Award, and the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award.
• Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Professor of Engineering: He is a distinguished engineer and technologist, and has authored more than 10 books and 100 research papers. He has received several awards, such as the IEI Award, the ISTE Award, the IEEE Award, and the GATE Scholarship.

Colleges

The university has 40 affiliated colleges, which are located in six districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, namely Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Mau, Ghazipur, Ballia, and Deoria. These colleges offer various courses in arts, commerce, science, education, law, agriculture, engineering, and technology. The colleges have well-equipped laboratories, libraries, computer centers, hostels, playgrounds, and other facilities for the students. The colleges also conduct various academic, cultural, sports, and social activities for the students. Some of the prominent colleges of the university are:

• Azamgarh University College, Azamgarh: It is the oldest and the largest college of the university, established in 1924. It offers BA, MA, B.Com, M.Com, B.Sc, M.Sc, B.Ed, M.Ed, LL.B, LL.M, B.Sc (Agriculture), M.Sc (Agriculture), B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D programs in various subjects. It has a strength of more than 10,000 students and 500 faculty members. It has a sprawling campus of 50 acres, with a magnificent building, a central library, a computer center, a guest house, a sports complex, and a helipad. It has produced several eminent personalities, such as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
• Maharaja Suhel Dev University, Azamgarh: It is the main campus of the university, established in 2019. It offers B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D programs in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, and Computer Science. It has a strength of more than 2,000 students and 100 faculty members. It has a sprawling campus of 82 acres, with a majestic administrative building, a central library, a computer center, a guest house, a sports complex, and a helipad. It has a state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities for the students and faculty.

The admission requirements for Azamgarh University vary depending on the course and the faculty. In general, the candidates must have obtained a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination, such as Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, in the relevant subject or allied subject. The candidates must also qualify the entrance test conducted by the university or the concerned department. For some courses, such as Ph.D, the candidates must also submit a research proposal and appear for an interview.

Conclusion

Azamgarh University, or Maharaja Suhel Dev State University, is a prestigious institution of higher education in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The university offers a range of courses in various disciplines, with a focus on quality, innovation, and social relevance. The university has a modern campus, a dedicated faculty, and a vibrant student community. The university also undertakes various research and development projects, and collaborates with national and international partners. The university aims to become a center of excellence and a catalyst for the development of the region and the nation. If you are looking for a university that provides a holistic education, a rich cultural heritage, and a bright future, Azamgarh University is the right choice for you.